Work At Height Risk Assessment

Rescue During Work At Height

The work at height regulations are based on a risk assessment approach. When considering or planning work at height, a risk assessment should be undertaken in order to identify what the hazard is and the degree of risk present. A risk assessment is a careful examination of what could cause harm to people as a result of a work activity, and it allows you to take necessary precautions to prevent the harm from occurring. A hazard is the potential of a product, system, devise, substance or activity to cause harm. A risk is a function of the probability of that harm actually occurring. The severity of the consequence of the hazard being realised must also be considered. As an example if you fall 1 meter you many be injured but it is unlikely you will be killed. Whereas if you fall 20 meters the risk of death is substantially increased!

Therefore: - RISK= HAZARD EFFECT X PROBABILITY

Risk Assessment Procedure

To determine whether the activity is safe or not, the hazards, their effects and the probability of occurrence must be assessed. Therefore the following information has to gather:-

• What could go wrong?
• What will be the consequence if it does?
• How serious will the effect be?
• How likely is it to happen?

Once this information has been gathered a subjective opinion of the risk will have been established. This will enable a decision to be made as to whether the activity is safe.
A risk assessment can be broken down into five steps:

Step 1

Identify The Hazards.

In order to achieve a suitable and sufficient risk assessment it is essential that all the hazards associated with the activity be identified. Consideration must be given to the work, how the work is carried out, who is carrying out the work and what equipment, methods, materials and chemicals are to be used if any.

Hazards Examples:

• Slipping/tripping / Weather conditions
• Falling objects / Fragile Materials
• Falls / Poor lighting
• Fumes / Low temperature
  
  

Step 2

Decide Who & What Might Be Harmed & How.

Having identified the hazards then who or what might be harmed must be considered. Consideration must not only be given to employees but also the self employed, employees of other companies, site visitors and members of the public who may be affected either directly or indirectly.

Examples:-

• Maintenance personal / Lone worker
• Contractors / visitors
• Members of the public
  
  

Step 3

Evaluate The Probability Of The Hazard Occurring & Decide On Action To Be Taken.

Where it has been decided that there is a risk of harm occurring then consider if:-

• The hazard can be removed completely
• The job can be done in another way or by using a different, less hazardous method?
• If it can, then change the job or process to eliminate the risk.
• If the risk cannot be eliminated then can it be controlled?
• Are there any existing control measures, if so are they adequate?
• Can protective measures be taken which will protect the whole work force?

Risk Assessment Hierarchy.

Before each job of work you should assess the risk involved to health and safety. The following hierarchy lists the best ways in which to address the risk (solution); number 1 being the best solution followed by 2, 3 and 4. Against each solution is given an example of how it can be achieved (Method). To set the scene, imagine a flat roof protected by a high perimeter walls, but with a large unguarded hole in the middle: an obvious danger. There is some work to be under taken on the roof.

Solution / Method



• Eliminate the risk / Fill in the hole
• Protect the site / Erect a barrier around the hole
• Protect the person / Restrict the person's travel, e.g. by lanyard of limited length connected to the person and the structure, so that access to the zone where the risk of a fall from height exists
  is not possible
• Guard against the consequences / In a situation where the has gained access to the hole, use
  PPE for fall arrest or work positioning, as appropriate.

Example to prevent falls; guard rails at edges provide safety to everyone whereas secured safety harnesses only protect the wearer.

Step 4

Recording The Findings.

Employers with five or more employees should record the significant findings of their assessment as an aid to controlling hazards and risks. Employers should pass on information about significant risks and the steps that they have taken to control the risk, even when they employ less than five people.

Step 5

Recording The Findings.

Reviews are important; they take account of unusual conditions on some sites and changes in the way the job is done. Reviews allow lessons learned from experience to be taken into account. A new assessment is not always needed for every job, but if there are major changes a new assessment will be needed.